Albany Federal Criminal Defense Attorney

Serving Clients Throughout Albany

The Law Office of Mark J. Sacco, located in Latham, New York, is a first-class criminal defense practice. The clients we serve come from a great many parts of New York State, including Albany, which is about 150 miles from our base. Albany is, of course, the capital of the state, and as such is a hub of political activity. In addition to housing the New York State Capitol building, the city is home to the renowned Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza, a complex of state government buildings, Albany is also a city with a fascinating history, evidence of which is on display at various sites within its boundaries.

Culture also abound in Albany, well-known for its unusual underground shopping center replete with diverse works of art; an outstanding center for the performing arts known as The Egg; The Albany Institute of History and Art, famous for its outstanding collection of Hudson River School paintings; and SUNY Albany, one of most distinguished educational institutions in the country. One has only to travel a short distance from the city itself to see the natural world that mesmerized the Hudson River School artists.

No matter how interesting, educational or entertaining a location may be, it is difficult to enjoy the environment if you are facing criminal charges. At The Law Office of Mark J. Sacco, we are prepared to defend your rights, always remembering that you are innocent until proven guilty. If you are under investigation or have been arrested for a criminal offense, it is essential that you consult with a knowledgeable, experienced criminal defense attorney promptly. The more time that elapses before you avail yourself of legal counsel, the more jeopardy you are in. Our attorneys are ready to defend you against misdemeanor or felony charges. We have the resources to take whatever steps are necessary to protect you from prosecution.

While we cover a broad range of criminal cases, on these pages we will concentrate on white collar crimes to illustrate the way we approach criminal defense.

As most of us are well aware from media news coverage, not all crimes are violent. A great deal of criminal behavior takes place quietly in offices, businesses, and financial institutions all over the country. New York State is no exception. White collar crimes, in addition to being investigated by various district attorneys in the state and by the State Attorney General, some such crimes are looked into by federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). If you are being investigated for, or have been charged with a white collar crime, it is imperative that you engage the services of an attorney with experience in this area of criminal defense. Having a capable lawyer at your side can make all the difference in the outcome of your case.

At The Law Office of Mark J. Sacco each member of our legal team has well-honed skills to use in defending clients charged with white collar crimes. Not only do we all keep current with both state and federal criminal law; we have well-earned reputations as aggressive and successful litigators.

Defining White Collar Crimes

Basically, white collar crimes involve a violation of trust by a person positioned to be trusted. The white collar criminal takes advantage of his or her position to achieve financial gain through fraudulent means, including deceit and concealment.

Types of White Collar Crime

White collar crimes can take place on an individual level or as means of defrauding large numbers of people. Such crimes include:

Identity theft

Credit card fraud

Health care (Medicare/Medicaid) fraud)

Insurance fraud

Immigration fraud

Tax evasion

Social Security Fraud

Unemployment fraud

Workers compensation fraud

Bank and securities fraud

Embezzlement

Money laundering

Mortgage fraud/real estate fraud

Racketeering/RICO

Several laws are used to prosecute white collar crimes, depending on the nature of the offense and the circumstances under which it was committed. The federal government has historically brought organized crime charges under RICO (the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act). In recent years, the Patriot Act has frequently been used as the primary tool to prosecute computer, internet, and cybercrimes. While federal white collar crimes can lead to harsh penalties, often including lengthy incarceration, New York is known for its own tough stance on white collar crimes. A conviction under the state’s version of the federal RICO statute, known as the New York Enterprise Corruption Law, can result in a sentence of up to 25 years in state prison, not to mention significant fines and asset forfeiture to make restitution.

Clearly, being accused of committing a white collar crime in New York State is a serious threat to your stability and should never be taken lightly. Because such charges can lead to loss of resources, loss of reputation, and loss of freedom, it is crucial that you seek legal counsel as soon as you perceive the possibility of legal jeopardy.

How the Law Office of Mark J. Sacco Can Help

Fortunately for you, our attorneys are as relentless in defending you as state and federal prosecutors are in prosecuting you. Once we have conferred with you and fully understand the parameters of your case, our highly competent attorneys will work diligently to defend you. We have the experience and know-how to develop a strategy that will be effective and move your case toward a successful outcome.

Possible Defense Strategies

Plentiful evidence uncovered during white collar crime investigations can actually work in our favor. Due to the voluminous quantity of data typically produced during such investigations, it is often possible for us to find civil rights violations or other government errors as we scrutinize the plethora of documents.

Another important defense strategy is to demonstrate lack of intent. Unless the government can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you intended to commit a crime, we may be able to have you found not guilty or even have the charges against you dropped. When multiple defendants are involved, it is frequently possible to demonstrate that you yourself were being victimized by those actually committing the crime and that you were unaware that illegal activity was taking place.

Another possibility is that you were coerced into participating through threats or intimidation by the masterminds of the white collar crime. In addition, government officials working the case may have induced you to become involved in illegal behavior, an act commonly known as entrapment.

When You Don’t Know Where to Turn, Turn to Us

The criminal defense attorneys at The Law Office of Mark J. Sacco have the legal knowledge, professional competence, and resources necessary to mount an effective defense for clients accused of white collar crimes. Because we fully understand the way prosecutors develop their cases, we are able to be proactive in your defense. Nonetheless, we are experienced enough to be realistic and will always give you our honest evaluation of your chances. In some cases, the wisest thing to do may be to negotiate a reduction of charges or arrange for a plea bargain that will get your sentence reduced. No matter what your particular situation is, we are dedicated to providing you with the finest legal counsel. Please get in touch with us by phone or by filling out a contact form on our website. Remember, the initial consultation is always free.